1 SRT subtitle file not recognized

Moritz Bunkus edited this page 2017-07-25 08:46:52 +02:00

Table of Contents

• Why does mkvmerge not recognize my .srt file as valid file type?

Why does mkvmerge not recognize my .srt file as valid file type?

An SRT file is a plain text file. It consists of groups of at least four lines each:

1. the line with the running number,
2. the line with the start and end timestamps,
3. one or more lines of text and
4. one blank line as a separator.

Here's an example of how a valid file could look:

1
00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:06,736
where are you going so early?

2
00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:09,494
Don't record any more messages
on my alarm clock.

Here's an example of an invalid file that's missing the running number line in the first entry:

00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,000
(C) cool subtitling group

1
00:00:12,300 --> 00:00:14,280
Hello.

Here's another example of an invalid file: arbitrary text before the first entry:

# This file was downloaded from http://www.CoolSubtitlingWebsite.ext

1
00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:06,736
where are you going so early?

2
00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:09,494
Don't record any more messages
on my alarm clock.

You should open your problematic file with a good text editor (e.g. Notepad++) and take a look at the format, especially the first couple of entries. Normally you should see what parts don't match the example of a valid file posted above.

If you really cannot figure it out, then send me the file and I'll take a look at it.

Categories: merging

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